US3919533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical fault indicator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-11-08
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for indicating a malfunction in the normal operation and operating components of electrical apparatus. A predetermined coded output is generated periodically in response to the proper operation of the apparatus being monitored. The coded output is conveyed to a decoder network which deciphers the input signal and provides a symbolic output for identifying the reception of the coded output. A timer operable to sequence through a predetermined time interval generates an output during the interval which is reinitiated in response to the symbolic output of the decoder network. In addition, means are provided for supplying a fault output, which is inhibited during the interval of the timer output. The timer interval is desirably selected to be greater than the interval between generation of the coded output so that a fault output is inhibited so long as the apparatus is properly operating. If for any reason, the decoder network fails to identify the reception of the coded output within the timer interval a fault output signal is conveyed representative of a malfunction in the monitored apparatus. The invention is ideally applicable to digital processing and information transmission systems wherein the coded output is preferably designed to exercise all states of the data and address lines of the communication busses.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Charles W Einolf
- 👤 James A Neuner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0751; G06F11/0763; G06F11/0754; G06F11/0757; G06F11/16; G06F11/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A fault indicator for continually monitoring the operation of electrical apparatus comprising: means for supplying a predetermined coded output signal in a preselected sequence periodically when the apparatus monitored is functioning properly; means responsive to the proper presentation of the coded output in the preselected sequence to provide a decoded output signal; a timer operable to provide an output for a predetermined time interval and responsive to the decoded output to reinitiate the time interval; means for providing a fault output; and means responsive to the timer output to prevent the fault output means from providing an output during the running of the predetermined time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fault indicator for continually monitoring the operation of electrical apparatus comprising: means for supplying a predetermined coded output signal in a preselected sequence periodically when the apparatus monitored is functioning properly; means responsive to the proper presentation of the coded output in the preselected sequence to provide a decoded output signal; a timer operable to provide an output for a predetermined time interval and responsive to the decoded output to reinitiate the time interval; means for providing a fault output; and means responsive to the timer output to prevent the fault output means from providing an output during the running of the predetermined time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The fault indicator of claim 1 wherein the supplying means comprises a transmission bus for communicating information in digital form and further including means for controlling the information communicated on the bus wherein the control means periodically communicates the coded output along the bus to the decoder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fault indicator of claim 2 wherein the transmission but includes address lines and data word lines and wherein the predetermined coded output includes a given address and a given data word.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fault indicator of claim 3 wherein the given address and data word respectively comprises first and second addresses and corresponding first and second data word.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fault indictor of claim 4 wherein the first and second addresses and corresponding first and second data words are provided in the preselected sequence within the coded output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fault indicator of claim 4 wherein the first and second addresses and the first and second data words are respectively complementary.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fault indicator of claim 6 wherein the first and second addresses and the first and second data words respectively occupy all the corresponding address lines and data words lines on the transmission bus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fault indicator of claim 1 wherein the interval between coded outputs when the apparatus monitored is functioning properly is less than the predetermined time interval.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of indicating a malfunction in electrical apparatus having a number of discrete operations comprising the steps of: geNerating a predetermined coded output signal in a preselected sequence periodically upon the proper occurrence of a given number of the discrete operations; communicating the coded output to a decoder; decoding the coded output; providing a decoded output representative of the reception of the coded output in a preselected sequence by the decoder; supplying an electrical signal for a predetermined time interval; reinitiating the electrical signal for the predetermined time interval in response to the occurrence of the decoded output; generating a fault output; communicating the fault output as an indication of a malfunction in the apparatus monitored; and inhibiting the fault output from being communicated while the electrical signal is being supplied.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of indicating a malfunction in electrical apparatus having a number of discrete operations comprising the steps of: geNerating a predetermined coded output signal in a preselected sequence periodically upon the proper occurrence of a given number of the discrete operations; communicating the coded output to a decoder; decoding the coded output; providing a decoded output representative of the reception of the coded output in a preselected sequence by the decoder; supplying an electrical signal for a predetermined time interval; reinitiating the electrical signal for the predetermined time interval in response to the occurrence of the decoded output; generating a fault output; communicating the fault output as an indication of a malfunction in the apparatus monitored; and inhibiting the fault output from being communicated while the electrical signal is being supplied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the interval of the period between generation of the coded outputs when the apparatus monitored is functioning properly is less than the predetermined time interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the discrete operations of the apparatus occur in a given sequence and the coded output is generated during preselected discrete operations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 9 including the step of testing circuitry within the apparatus wherein the generating step provides the coded output upon the occurrence of a valid test and the interval between the generation of the coded output is less than the predetermined time interval as long as a valid test has occurred.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of initiating the testing step while the apparatus is connected in an intended application while the apparatus is not functioning in the application.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the initiating step continuously reinitiates the testing step while the apparatus is not functioning in the application.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3500318A
Cited
US3745529A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |